Southern Utah University is geared up for another year of helping Cedar City residents prepare their taxes free of charge, said Nikki Koontz, assistant director of marketing at SUU.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is already in full swing, offering residents who make $54,000 a year, or less, help from college students to prepare their tax returns, according to a news release.

“Every year, we help hundreds of locals and refund a very ample amount of money back into the community,” said Mitch Lamoreaux, this year’s student VITA manager. “VITA is not only a great service for the community, but also provides terrific hands-on experience for accounting students at SUU.”

Residents making less than $54,000 a year, disabled, elderly and Spanish-speaking are offered free tax preparation at SUU.(Photo: SUU Communications / For The Spectrum & Daily News)

VITA gives more than $1 million back to the community each year, and also offers its services to persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance with their returns, according to a news release.

The program runs through April 10 — Monday — Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Business Building, room No. 207, on the campus of SUU.

VITA is a first come, first served basis.

“An Internal Revenue Service certified preparer will prepare returns, and then returns are reviewed by an IRS certified coordinator before they are electronically submitted to the IRS,” Koontz said.